Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Policy Framework;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/06/2026
Decision due: 21 Jul 2026 by Cabinet
Decision due: 23 Jul 2026 by Council
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth and Deputy Leader of the Council
Lead director: Director of Pride in Place
Contact: David Pickhaver Email: [email protected].
Consultation process
The Local Plan has
been through three rounds of consultations at the less formal
“Regulation 18” stage (in January and December 2022) and between
November 2025 and February 2026.
The next required step is to publish the Local Plan for formal
“Regulation 19” 6 week consultation. Following this, it will return
to full Council in late 2026 for approval for submission to the
Secretary of State for Examination.
Consultees
There are a wide range of consultees for local
plans, and there can be high levels of public interest in
particular site allocations. The Local
Plan has several “Statutory Consultees”, which include Natural
England, The Environment Agency and Historic England.
Reason for inclusion in Forward Plan: To set out a framework to guide the use of land in the public interest. To provide a framework that supports the council’s regeneration and accommodation repurposing programmes. The provide policies on developer contributions towards infrastructure.
Key Risks: The Local Plan is subject to legal tests of promoting Sustainable Development and Soundness (paragraphs 11 and 36 of the (2024) NPPF. The key challenge is that Torbay cannot meet the Government’s Local Housing Need Figure of 972 dwellings per year. The Council will need to show robust evidence that it has strong reasons to resist the scale of development and has undertaken a “no stone left unturned” approach to finding housing land.
If you want to make representations contact:: David Pickhaver, Principal Strategy and Project Management, Torbay Council, Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay, [email protected]
